by Snow, Jenika
He grinned. “I like that you don’t mince your words. It’s refreshing, especially when I deal daily with people having their noses up my ass and spouting off their bullshit.”
I laughed softly. “I wouldn’t know anything about people kissing my ass, but I definitely know all about the bullshit part.” I shrugged. We hadn’t really talked about personal stuff, but I still felt like I knew Jason. It was a little unnerving, but I also kind of liked it.
“Count yourself lucky,” he said seriously. He glanced down at his glass. I followed his line of vision to where his hand rested on the base of his glass.
“So what did you want to be honest with me about?” I could only imagine how this would go, how he’d tell me this was nice but he wasn’t looking for anything serious.
“When David brought up the whole blind date thing, the only reason I agreed was because he asked—well, pestered me about it really. I wasn’t interested in finding anyone. I wasn’t interested in dating in general.”
And here it was. Might as well be honest with him too. But not before I finished off this beer and ordered something else to soften the blow.
“I get it.” This kind of sucked, if I were being honest. “When Michael set this up, I wasn’t looking forward to it. My life is so.... hectic right now that getting involved with anyone but myself is kind of a disaster waiting to happen.” I shrugged, looked for the waitress, and signaled her over when she was done with the table she was helping.
I looked back at Jason. He watched me like he... knew me. And although I was being honest about not wanting a relationship, I was having such a great time that I actually would’ve loved to spend more time with him, even if my life was legit a wreck right now.
“I get it. Believe me.”
Silence filled the space between us, as if we both knew being in a relationship wasn’t really what we wanted at the moment. Although I didn’t admit I’d like to see him again, that I was having a great time and almost questioning whether I actually did want a relationship right now. Because that would be stupid. That would be insane.
He cleared his throat and shifted a little bit, bringing his glass to his mouth and taking a long drink. He was milking the hell out of it, whereas I was sucking them down like I was in the Mojave Desert dying of thirst.
“So what do you do?” Here we go. Time to be honest and tell him that I was unemployed, because I’d gotten fired and had been turned down at two interviews in the same day.
“Well, I’m actually in-between jobs right now, but by trade I’m an administrative assistant.” That sounded way fancier than saying personal assistant or secretary.
He gave me a genuinely warm smile, and I brought the glass to my mouth and finished off my beer. Where was the damn waitress? I needed a refill STAT.
“Administrative assistant... that takes some patience.”
“You’re telling me,” I mumbled under my breath. “What about you?”
“I’m a CFO.”
“CFO? Sounds important,” I said honestly.
He chuckled deeply. “Chief financial officer. I manage and oversee my company’s investment portfolio, as well as many other things that fall under the finance umbrella.”
Yeah. He was important at his business.
“But honestly, a lot of the time, it’s just a bunch of people kissing ass, because they think it’s going to help them in the long run.”
I nodded, understanding fully. “So you’re into numbers?” The look he gave me told me he was.
“Yeah, ever since I was little. I’m pretty good at them, so I figured I might as well make a career out of it.”
“Makes sense.” I smiled and felt my cheeks heat, which had a little to do with how I felt toward Jason, and a lot to do with me drinking. “So where do you work? I assume the financial district. Michael didn’t say much of anything before the blind date, to be honest. I got your first name and that was it.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, same thing I got from David. I do work in the financial district. The clothes give it away?”
I shrugged and smiled. “A little.”
He opened his mouth, presumably to tell me where he worked, but the waitress showed up just in that moment. Thank God. I needed another drink, because I was starting to feel antsy. It wasn’t a bad kind of nervousness, but the kind you felt when you were having a really good time with a really attractive guy.
“Can I get another beer?” I pushed over my empty glass and looked at Jason. I was hoping he’d get another one as well so I didn’t feel like such a lush.
He lifted his glass and nodded. “Another one, please.”
For the next hour, we talked about anything and everything, although I was pretty closed off on the personal side of things, as was he. And I liked it that way. I knew getting to know someone and what made them tick was pretty important on a first date, but I wasn’t about to admit I’d been fired or any of the other stuff that followed. And I wasn’t going to let those shitty happenstances ruin the good time I was having. I hadn’t had one of these in a while and it was... nice.
I was on my fourth beer when I realized I needed to put a stop to it. I was starting to feel drunk. With the numerous beers on top of the numerous heavily spiked shakes, I was feeling really tipsy. I probably should’ve been smart enough to stop two beers ago and switched it up to some water, but I had a feeling I wasn’t going to see Jason again, and I was having a good time.
And the fact that I wasn’t embarrassing myself yet made me decide I might as well just keep the party going.
* * *
Jason
It wasn’t my place to tell her to slow down, that she was drinking her weight in booze. I didn’t need her to tell me whatever was bothering her was heavy. But her smiles and laughs were genuine, and I liked hearing them. I liked the way they made me feel.
The truth was I hadn’t even wanted to go on this blind date. This wasn’t my scene. Dating was a here and there kind of situation, a “when I had time for it” thing.
But when David had brought it up to me, pestered me if I were being honest, I gave in and decided it couldn’t be that bad. One night. A few hours. It wasn’t like I didn’t need to let loose. The work I did day in and day out could drain you to the marrow.
I didn’t know what I’d been expecting in my date, but it wasn’t the woman sitting in front of me.
Linda was funny and witty, her snarkiness a turn-on. She was gorgeous, with a mane of dark hair that curled at the ends and eyes so blue I idly wondered if the color was real.
Going on this blind date, I had no intentions of seeing her again. I agreed to come for the sake of my brother, but shit, I wanted to see Linda again. I wanted to get to know her, to know what she liked and disliked, what her strengths and weaknesses were. I wanted to know a lot of things about her. In fact, the short time I’d been in her company, I couldn’t stop wondering what she looked like naked... how she sounded when she came.
My thoughts turned fucking obscene and filthy pretty damn quickly. It made me feel a little bit ashamed I was letting them go there, but not ashamed enough to try and stop them.
She pushed her empty beer glass aside and exhaled slowly. Her cheeks were red, her eyes glossy.
She was drunk.
“I should’ve stopped three beers ago,” she said, and there was a slight slur in her voice.
“You’re letting loose. I get it. Believe me.”
She smiled slowly, and I knew for a fact that she didn’t realize how fucking hot she looked when she did it.
I wanted to tell her too, wanted to invite her back to my place. But she was drunk, and no fucking way was I going there. No fucking way would I even contemplate taking advantage of her. She deserved better. And I wanted her fully with it when I asked her out for a second date.
Which I planned on doing.
And I wanted her fucking sober when I finally had her... which I would.
I’d already decided that. No matter what, this wouldn’t
be the only time I saw Linda.
Chapter Eight
Linda
The first thing I noticed was the fact that my head pounded. Was there a sledgehammer behind my eyes? I didn’t want to open them, because I knew it would just make the pain even worse.
The second thing I realized was the feeling of warmth on my face.
You have to open your eyes at some point. Can’t stay in bed all day.
I couldn’t remember what happened or how I got back in my bed, but then again, I did remember being loose with those beers and shakes.
I groaned and rolled onto my back, breathed out slowly, and took note there was a spicy masculine scent that enveloped me. My eyes were still closed as I spread my arms and legs out, doing a snow angel on the mattress. The sheets were chilled but warmed considerably as the seconds moved by. The sheets felt soft, softer than I remembered having on my bed, but I was so hungover I didn’t think too much about it.
I slowly opened my eyes, blinking a few times, as the brightness was like knives inside my head. Everything was blurry for a moment, and I blinked a few times again. My vision started to clear as I stared at the ceiling. I tilted my head to the side as I realized the ceiling was white… too white from what I remembered. There weren’t any water stains either, which my bedroom definitely had.
I slowly sat up, mindful of sudden movements, because my head was bitching me out. I lifted my hand and covered my eyes, closing them as I let the pain subside marginally.
And then as I sat there, it all came rushing back to me—well, in bits and pieces, like a fragmented movie that was trying to right itself but just couldn’t make the connection.
Jason.
All those orange-fucking-freezes.
I groaned again as the memory of those drinks had my head pounding and my stomach churning.
I inhaled, and the scent of what I now realized was all Jason filled my head, somewhat easing that ache marginally.
Slightly spicy.
A hint of wildness.
All male.
I dropped my hand to the mattress and looked around the room. Everything was so masculine, with dark undertones against white walls and white linens.
The scent of coffee finally pierced my brain, and I looked toward the partially open bedroom door. Then the sound of pans banging had my heart doing a little hiccup behind my ribs. My throat was suddenly tight, my mouth dry. He was down there. Waiting for me. And here I was, scared as hell.
I gripped the sheets and pulled them up to my chest. Did we have sex? I pulled the sheet out and looked down. I had my bra and panties on, and a glance to my left showed the rest of my clothes folded neatly on the dresser. I didn’t feel like I’d gotten it on last night, but I’d been so drunk, who the hell knew for sure? And would I have put my panties back on afterward?
I closed my eyes as mortification slammed into me. A one-night stand was not something I did… like ever.
More pieces from last night filtered into my mind. God, I should have been more responsible in my drinking. But I’d been feeling nice and buzzed, my worries and the fact that none of my interviews had panned out slowly fading away as pleasure filled me. I’d been enjoying Jason’s company. Not only was he attractive, he was also funny, and I felt like he was genuine. Those were qualities in a person I especially coveted. But no doubt this little escapade had ruined any chances for a second date.
I was off the bed and grabbing my clothes from the dresser a second later. My stomach and head protested from my sudden movements, but fuck it, this was a weird situation I needed to get out of.
When I heard footsteps approaching, I turned toward the door quickly, feeling my eyes widen and my heart race. And then I heard him knock on the bedroom door, and I stopped getting dressed, my body bent over as I was about to pull my dress up. My heart was thundering and, as I was still bent at the waist, the blood rushing to my head, the pressure became even worse.
I hauled ass in pulling the dress up, but before I could reach to the side and zip it up, the door was being pushed open.
I straightened and nearly lost my balance but reached out and gripped the edge of the dresser for support. Jason walked in wearing a snug white T-shirt and a pair of loose-fitting sweats. The white drawstring swung slightly as he stepped into the room. He held two coffee cups, but I was focused on the way his dark hair was messy… sexy.
And his body. I couldn’t breathe, because even first thing in the morning, he looked good enough to eat. With hard muscles and definition that couldn’t be hidden beneath his clothes.
I looked to the side at the mirror attached to the dresser. The woman staring back at me looked like she should be living in the woods waiting for Hansel and Gretel to show up. I was just missing the pointy hat and the wart on my nose.
A witch, yeah, that’s totally the appearance I was going for right about now when Jason looked like… well, when he looked sexy as sin.
“Morning,” he said in that deep, slightly scratchy voice that I remembered all too well from dinner and how it made me feel. God, even thinking about it now, I felt tingles race up my spine.
I cleared my throat and looked at the ground. “Hey.” That lone word was nothing but a mumble from me, and I wasn’t even sure he’d heard me at all.
“Coffee?”
I chanced a look at him, his arm still held out, the coffee calling to me. I took a few steps forward but kept my gaze down on the ground as I took the cup from him, our fingers brushing together and making this little gasp leave me. I could feel him staring at me and looked at him from the fall of my rat’s nest hair.
God, he looked incredible, whereas I looked like I’d crawled out from under a rock.
For a second, we just stood there, neither one of us speaking, the awkwardness strong. The chilled air moved along the strip of skin exposed where the zipper still wasn’t pulled up.
“Uh,” I said uncomfortably. “Did we…?” I glanced at the bed, feeling my face burn like it was on fire. How bad was it that I couldn’t even remember having sex with him?
He cleared his throat, and I knew he was about to speak. I held up my hand and shook my head.
“You know what?” I looked at him, straightening, holding my head high. “We won’t even get into that. It is what it is.” I brought the cup to my mouth and took a long drink, watching him over the rim, trying to act stronger than I actually was. The fact was, I was so damn embarrassed by this entire situation. When I guzzled down the coffee, I started to feel a little better. “Listen,” I said and handed him back the cup, giving him a grateful smile, “I just want you to know, even though it probably doesn’t even matter, I don’t ever just go home with random men.” I swallowed roughly. “Like, I’ve never done that. This is so uncharacteristic for me, and I’m mortified that you had to see me like that.” I rubbed my temple.
“You know…” He started to speak, but right now, I couldn’t even handle whatever he was going to say. I couldn’t handle any pity he threw my way.
“I know that’s not an excuse,” I said, cutting him off from saying anything. “And I’m sure anyone in my position would have said the same thing.” I stared into his dark eyes, willing myself not to get lost in them. “But in my case, it’s the truth. I have never done a one-night stand.” The slow smirk he gave me shouldn’t have had every erogenous zone in my body lighting up.
“That’s good to know, because I don’t do one-night stands either.”
I breathed out slowly. God, why did his voice have to be so damn sexy?
“So, thank you for everything. I’m sorry you had to see me drown my sorrows in booze, but I really should go.” I started looking around for my shoes, cursing internally when I couldn’t find them.
“They’re by the front door. You kicked them off as soon as you stepped into my apartment.”
Of course I did.
I gave him a tight-lipped smile and he lifted a dark brow, the corner of his mouth kicking up even more.
My face
was on fire.
“I made us some breakfast, if you’re hungry.”
I shook my head right away. “Um, thanks, but I actually have to go,” I reiterated and looked at the clock on the bedside table, clenching my teeth at the time. It was early as hell.
I had that interview today, was hungover as all get-out, but I needed to get my shit together and ace this interview if I had any hope of pulling myself out of this shit storm I was currently in.
He didn’t say anything for long moments, and when I looked back at him, his face was stoic. “You sure? It’s pancakes and bacon, even scrambled some eggs.” He held up the coffee cups. “Got more of this, if you’re interested.”
The very thought of eating turned my stomach. “You normally cook breakfast this early?”
He shrugged and propped his hip again the dresser. “No, but since I had company, I figured why the hell not?”
Oh. God.
“I—I actually have an appointment that I can’t miss and should probably get home and get my shit together.” I felt my face heat once more as he stared at me.
“Okay,” he said, his voice and expression even. He stepped to the side even more, and I started making my way past him. “Just to let you know, Michael kept texting then calling last night. You were out cold, so I answered and assured him you were fine but sleeping off the booze.”
The slow smile he gave me was no doubt in direct correlation to how hot my damn face felt. I was going to hear about this from Michael, probably for the rest of my life, and I couldn’t even tell him if the sex had been good or not, because I didn’t even fucking remember.
And then my face felt even hotter, was probably as red as a tomato.
I glanced over at him and saw that he still watched me knowingly. And as I looked him up and down, really got my fill of how good he looked, I knew, without remembering, that yeah, the sex had most definitely been good.
God, he smelled good. I tried to keep my focus on the floor as I made my way down the hallway, but I had no clue how his apartment was set up, didn’t remember even coming here last night—well, not clearly anyway—so I glanced up just as I entered the living room and kitchen area.